A very negative purchasing experience in Alaska

[MooseLumps]

I have been remiss in not posting this earlier but this past summer (Winter for those in the Southern hemisphere), I was in Alaska, In Anchorage. I lived on the very South end of town. I had moved up there to make some money with a restoration company. Essentially my job was smashing things. Very cathartic.

I was tooling around the music stores in the area, looking for a store that had a good selection of basses. I eventually found a shop (That will remain nameless, because I don't even know if it still exists and because I did not due my full diligence in trying to make my purchase, see below) that stocked a good selection of amps, basses, well, everything.

Understanding the layout will come in handy for the last part of the story.They have the service desk right in front of the front door, somewhat like the loss prevention desk at your local Best Buy store. Along one wall was a row of rooms where high-dollar instruments were kept off the main floor. After perusing the store a few times, I got used to the layout, tried several basses and amps, eventually got used to getting a good tone from the available demo amps.

So one day, I come in and see that someone has placed a Zon six-string custom for sale in one of the side rooms. I decided I should try it out, even if it was probably out of my price range. I got the attention of the senior sales associate (Note, Senior.) and he let me in to try it out. Right after he left, I noticed that there were no bass amps in the room. Just some Mesa tweed combos. I put the bass back on the stand and went to the front to get the sales associate to help me out. He is in the little office alcove attached to the front desk, sitting in front of the computer. I asked him if I could try out the bass on a bass amp. He looked at me with the highest raised eyebrow I've ever seen on a human being, like I had just asked him to Give me a ride to his mother's house to pick her up for a romantic evening. He groans getting up like he has rheumatoid arthritis in every conceivable joint, Which he might have had, I don't know, but I think he was just annoyed with me. he walked back with me and opened the side room back up (Auto Lock on the door) and took a look. Lo, there were no bass amps.

At this point, he looks around the main floor an spies a Line 6 Lowdown combo sitting on top of an 8x10 in the middle of an amp display. he asks me politely to hold the door for him, and he proceeds to heft a 2x15 out of the way so he could get to the combo (No grunt) grabs it, and comes back.

Now, I try not to be a gear snob, but the price tag on the bass is $6000. I figured I could try it on the main floor with some of the more powerful, accurate amps that I had time to figure out. I decided not to complain, because it was just the first test drive, after all.

Well, I got all situated in the side room, and let me tell you, I was in love. The Zon balanced perfectly, played beautifully, and even smelled good!! I decided that she must be mine. I left the store,but not before asking a few questions about the bass and the strings and whatnot. All the while resolving in my head to come back the next day and walk out with the Zon.

I went straight to the bank. I talked with a loan officer. I got $3000 dollars in borrowed money at 6.25% interest. I withdrew $3500 from my savings. Almost everything I had made that summer. I was ready. That evening, reflecting on my position, I decided I needed to play it on a larger system at least one more time. I needed to be sure. It was a lot of money to spend.

I went back the next day. I asked if I could play the Zon again. My hands were sweating. I was almost shaking. It was a different associate this time, one I assumed was less senior. As we walked back, I asked the associate if I could play the bass on one of the systems on the main floor. He did one of those things where you scrunch your face and hiss through your teeth before telling someone bad news, like you are sad just to be saying it. "Sorry, but we don't do that for instruments in these back rooms." I was pretty shocked. A music store that would not help you buy a bass? I shrugged it off at first, and figured that I could make at least a partial decision with just the Lowdown combo.

I played that buttery bass again, and I tell you friends, it was almost a religious experience. I knew I had to have it. I put it up on the stand and left the back room, walked to the counter, and asked the senior associate from last time if I could try the bass on a system on the main floor.

"Not unless you are going to buy it."

"How do I know if I want to buy it if I can't try it out?"

"Look, buddy, It's an expensive guitar, and we don't let people try them out the main floor unless they are going to buy them."

I refrained from telling him i had $6500 in my wallet. I wanted to know how they would treat a working class guy trying to buy an expensive guitar (I have a mild Marxist streak to my philosophy, I guess)

"Look, that's all well and good for the guitar guys, they have pretty good amps in the back room. I'm playing through a 10" combo. Can't I just run it through a different rig for a minute? You can stand there and watch me if you want."

"Look, I would let you, but we just don't do that."

"Okay, Is there a manager or an owner I can talk to?"

"I'm the owner."

"Fine. Have a good day."

I left the store. I never went back. Ever. I figured out the best way to double your money is to fold it in half and stick it in your pocket. It's a good thing that I did not buy the Zon, because shortly after my car died, and I had to sell some gear to buy a truck.

I did not due my full diligence. If I had plopped my money down on the counter, he would probably have driven me to his mother's house for a romantic evening with a smile on his face. I decided that he did not deserve my business that day, even if it cost me a great bass.

It's not like I could have stolen the bass form the store. There were two associates and no one else there but me. And I would have had to walk past the front desk to leave. I can understand not wanting someone to damage such an expensive instrument, but at the cost of a sale? Really?

Thoughts? Wrong forum?

[baba]

You should have flashed the wad of cash on the way out too....and peed on the welcome mat.

[Blueszilla]

I'm usually very calm in situations like these, but I would have definitely flashed the cash and told him how prepared I was to purchase the bass, but now it ain't happenin' due only to his crappy attitude and customer service. I would have also said I would be letting every musician I know of my experience in his store.

I absolutely HATE that attitude.

[KsPiNeSh]

Originally Posted by baba

You should have flashed the wad of cash on the way out too....and peed on the welcome mat.

Not sure about the second part, but I've flashed money (discreetly )a time or two as I walked out of a store in my flip-flops, t-shirt, and jeans. It's very satisfying seeing the salesperson's eyes widen as they backpedal.

[AnchorHoy]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

I knew I had to have it. I put it up on the stand and left the back room, walked to the counter, and asked the senior associate from last time if I could try the bass on a system on the main floor.

"Not unless you are going to buy it."

"How do I know if I want to buy it if I can't try it out?"

"Look, buddy, It's an expensive guitar, and we don't let people try them out the main floor unless they are going to buy them."

At which point you take out your wad of cash, riff it under his nose slowly enough for him to see that it's all Big Bills, and say "lets talk"

I refrained from telling him i had $6500 in my wallet

Why? You say that you were fully prepared to buy, and yet you didn't feel that someone responsible for a Big $ instrument needed to know that before he risked you devaluing it significantly by dinging it up?

I wanted to know how they would treat a working class guy trying to buy an expensive guitar (I have a mild Marxist streak to my philosophy, I guess)

No. You have a chip on your shoulder for some reason, and an obvious habit of making things Much more difficult than they need to be

Marxism doesn't have diddly to do with any part of this scenario, and BTW if you want to compare Working Class credentials then work 30+ years in factories, on farms, and the occasional ditch-digger job like I did (and still do), then get back to me

Bottom Line: You did absolutely nothing to differentiate yourself from the many lookie-loos that this store owner sees on a daily basis, who endanger the finish (and consequently, the selling price) on his most expensive instruments without the slightest intention of actually buying them

You had plenty of chances to convince him otherwise, and passed on every single one

[MooseLumps]

Originally Posted by AnchorHoy

No. You have a chip on your shoulder for some reason, and an obvious habit of making things Much more difficult than they need to be

Marxism doesn't have diddly to do with any part of this scenario, and BTW if you want to compare Working Class credentials then work 30+ years in factories, on farms, and the occasional ditch-digger job like I did (and still do), then get back to me

Bottom Line: You did absolutely nothing to differentiate yourself from the many lookie-loos that this store owner sees on a daily basis, who endanger the finish (and consequently, the selling price) on his most expensive instruments without the slightest intention of actually buying them

You had plenty of chances to convince him otherwise, and passed on every single one

Alright, let's assume I didn't screw up the sale by not doing the salesman's job for him.


Let's assume I'm exaggerating how much I wanted that bass.

Originally Posted by AnchorHoy

and BTW if you want to compare Working Class credentials then work 30+ years in factories, on farms, and the occasional ditch-digger job like I did (and still do), then get back to me

You don't even know me. You come on here and read a post and assume that I'm some punk kid who whines about rude salespeople when he doesn't get his way, and that I don't have any experience with the world.

My age is not listed in my profile. I could damn well be older than you.

I work hard. I work d*** hard. For you to assume otherwise reflects poorly on you, not me. Just because you know have worked on a farm does not mean you get to walk through life like it owes you respect. I don't care how long you have been kicking s***.

Originally Posted by AnchorHoy

and BTW if you want to compare Working Class credentials then work 30+ years in factories, on farms, and the occasional ditch-digger job like I did (and still do), then get back to me

If you want to have a pissing contest with someone, go somewhere else. The internet is littered with jerks who would love to hear your garbage. I sure don't. I don't know anyone here who does.

Originally Posted by AnchorHoy

No. You have a chip on your shoulder for some reason

People like you.

[WookieeForLife]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

Alright, let's assume I didn't screw up the sale by not doing the salesman's job for him.


Let's assume I'm exaggerating how much I wanted that bass.




You don't even know me. You come on here and read a post and assume that I'm some punk kid who whines about rude salespeople when he doesn't get his way, and that I don't have any experience with the world.

My age is not listed in my profile. I could damn well be older than you.

I work hard. I work d*** hard. For you to assume otherwise reflects poorly on you, not me. Just because you know have worked on a farm does not mean you get to walk through life like it owes you respect. I don't care how long you have been kicking s***.


If you want to have a pissing contest with someone, go somewhere else. The internet is littered with jerks who would love to hear your garbage. I sure don't. I don't know anyone here who does.



People like you.

Where's that burn picture with Kelso?

[AnchorHoy]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

If you want to have a pissing contest with someone, go somewhere else. The internet is littered with jerks who would love to hear your garbage. I sure don't. I don't know anyone here who does

You explained the situation in detail and specifically solicited comments

You want it, you got it. Now you're complaining about it because you didn't like what you read

In the interest of following the TOS of this Board, I have nothing further to say

[WookieeForLife]

I don't know much about the Anchorage music scene, but is it that big? I'm sure he was protecting an investment. Then again, he could have used this buisness.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by baba

You should have flashed the wad of cash on the way out too....and peed on the welcome mat.

Indeed, and said, "Five minutes ago, that bass was sold. Now it's just expensive inventory. When was the last time you saw $6,500 cash?"

[DblG]

I wouldn't have been happy with the treatment, but definately would have let him know you were prepared to by it, but only if you could try it out on a real set up.
But I also get the feeling that maybe you were hesitant anyways...that's a lot of dough to drop on a bass, especially having to take a loan out for it.

[bui]

On behalf of the rest of the proletariat, we thank you for your selfless actions. Solidarity!

[LaklandBass]

I think you did everything right except for one thing. You didnt show him the wad of cash and then tell him how it is. I sooooooo agree with you on hating these types of stores but remember one thing next time, if you dont tell them what theyre doing wrong they can never fix it. Ive seen shops like that where theyll act that way even for a $1400 instrument.
I had a similar one where I asked to try a peavey cirrus 6 string. The guy looked at me like I was his kid and said "you do know thats a 6 string". he actually said it with a chuckle in his voice. I asked him if there was a problem and he said "we allow customers to audition instruments, not play with them". So I told him that since customer service wasnt being offered in his store Ill just buy it online for less. I then walked out while showing him a thick wad of cash. probably about $2500 in 20's. The next day I phoned the store and spoke to the owner, I told him that if I owned a business I would like to know when an employee is acting like that. He agreed and thanked me.
Your situation sucks though, because he was the owner...

[bassplayer8953]

If you sell Ferraris, you have to be willing to let people test drive them...on the street, where they might get pranged up. It goes with the territory...high stakes, high profits when the product does sell. Don't want the high stakes? Sell Hyundais (or Ibanez, in the bass world)..JMO...

[Rattman]

Me? I'm totally glad you: .. "doubled your money" when you folded it and put it back into your wallet. Smart move on your part. Good story too.

[steelhead2]

way back when,,when i wanted a `spey' flyrod sooo bad!,they just weren't around here like now,,,anything over 9ft was`special order'?,,in UK you can buy any length,,,,,,,,,,anyway my story is=one shop had ONE,i took the wife and kids`shopping' that early evening,had cash in my dirty levis from my autobody biz,,,,,,,,,,i went to grab the rod out of the rack after talking to the salesman and he stated`we don't allow anyone to handle the rods they'll soil the cork'==BS,,not 6 grand but 450.00 for a FISHING ROD(still not something the vast majority would purchase for sure),,not unlike your bass,,i only went back in there one time for some feathers(fly tieing),,a decade has passed that shop has closed and now i know the custom builders locally who hand me prototypes to play with for free but i'll never forget that `visit'

it happens,just went thru some crap today with a supplier=my take on LIFE is=it's either a CAN DO biz or it's not,,i've always conducted my business as a can do not= nope can't do that/can't help you,,,,,(or better put),,i'd be all over your a-- for the 6 grand myself!!!!!!!!!!

and yes i would have waved it(the cash) on the way out but it seems it was meant to be(with your vehicle breakdown),,prolly buy a better one here from a member for less anyway

[scsm]

I would have, and I have done what you did.

Never with a bass but at clothing stores I do it all the time. One time when I was a teenager I bleached more or less my entire wardrobe. So I went to the mall to buy entire new closet of clothes. I went around to a bunch of different stores and was going to drop some serious cash and no one would even ask how I was doing. After like 7 stores I was fuming. So I went to a store I knew my good friend was working just to say hi. They weren't working but the moment I walked in I had a super friendly salesperson ask how I was doing and if I needed anything to just ask. I spent hundreds of dollars at that store.

I knew the majority of the stores I went to work on commission, if your not going to even acknowledge me when I walk in the door, I'm not giving you my money.

[Incognitus]

Originally Posted by MooseLumps

I was tooling around the music stores in the area, looking for a store that had a good selection of basses. I eventually found a shop (That will remain nameless, because I don't even know if it still exists and because I did not due my full diligence in trying to make my purchase, see below) that stocked a good selection of amps, basses, well, everything.

Hey man, I live here in Anchorage and I know the exact store you are talking about and they are still in business.

As for their treatment of customers, I have not been in awhile but the last time I was there, I felt very ignored and at the same time that I was being watched the whole time. The issue with this particular store is that they have a VERY HIGH rate of employee turnover. Sometimes the salesman is very knowledgeable and helpful, come back a month later and there might be someone not interested even after you've stood at the register for a little bit.

The only surefire way to get lots of help and courtesy is to walk in with your mom with a starry eyed expression.

That's all I am going to say to avoid starting myself a-ranting. But it's just the general poor service and outrageous prices that always make me think and buy from TalkBass first before even considering local.

So thank you all for keeping this a great place to find good, less expensive, and well maintained gear.

[Byzcat]

Um, I don't see how this is a negative purchasing experience, being as how you didn't actually, you know, make a purchase?

Negative shopping experience, yeah.

[FrenchAK]

I just want to add a vastly different take on this same store:
(And I'm pretty sure it's the same store, but if someone wants to PM me the name I'd love to know of a store around here with that kind of high-end gear)

The last time I went there, me and my buddy were looking simply to price a bass drum head. I meandered over to the bass section, as I always do, and start staring at the pretty small selection of basses on the wall. I'm kind of into Squier stuff seeing as I have no money and they've been doing pretty well making instruments lately, so I'm eyeing over one of the Squier Standard P-Bass Specials, the likes of which I hadn't seen in a store in AK before.

Now, I'm not what you would call a "big spender," I'm under 20, jeans and a t-shirt (certainly not dressed like I'm about to drop some cash), and for God's sake, I'm drooling over a shiny Squier. Nonetheless, the sales guy starts chatting me up over the Squier, and asks me if I want to try it out. I say yes, and he grabs it off the wall, goes across the store to grab me a bench, plugs me into an expensive-ass combo and leaves me to do my thing.

I run through a couple riffs, and come back to reality when I realize I have nowhere near the kind of money to buy this... Even though it's a Squier.
So I put all the stuff back, hang the bass back on the wall, and thank the salesman as I leave. Even though I wasn't even close to the only customer in the store, and I was probably the least likely to buy something, he still went out of his way to make sure I got a good feel of the basses, the amps, and whatever I wanted to try that day. Thanks to that, he confirmed a future sale.